Diabetes with a smile–

grilled food

It’s coming folks — the 4th of July! A great day for those of us in the U.S.A. who have so much to be grateful for. Parades, ceremonies, and then the Sacred Barbecue! Who doesn’t like a good BBQ? Fire up those grills.

Be sure to add a salad to your plate. I’m talking about a green salad — beware of the potato and macaroni salad, pasta salads that will shoot up your blood sugar. Not worth it — watch out for the carbs and add the proteins instead.

BEST THING TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME TO GO TO THE BBQ = Drink an 8oz glass of water and have a healthy snack. By doing that, you won’t be “famished” when you arrive and overwhelmed by the temptation.

Seriously, what could be more fun than stabbing yourself three times a day???

Okay, nobody ever said it was going to be fun, but it’s important — no — imperative! If you’re new to this “game,” trust me, JUST DO IT! It’s the only real way to know exactly where you’re at, in terms of your blood sugar and, your glucometer WILL tell the truth. In truth there is no denial.

I’m meeting friends for lunch tomorrow, and there’s a routine I follow prior to going out.

I go onto the website of the restaurant.

Check out the menu and pay attention to the healthy choices. Usually, I decide what I’m going to order, but I also give myself the option of choosing one or two of the other acceptable alternatives. This process gives me a range of possibilities that will allow me to make a good decision. I IGNORE THE REST OF THE MENU!

Remember: You’re in charge of your decision. Grilled chicken is usually an option in any restaurant and be sure to add lots of veggies to your dinner plate — it will be colorful and appetizing!

Before I leave home, I drink a glass of water and take my blood sugar. And then — I’m off, and destined to have a delightful meal with my friends.

When the conversation turns to DESSERT,“No thank you. I’m full.” [By the way, you will be full.] GREAT decision, congratulate yourself! While they’re piling on the pounds, and adding toxins to their bodies while sifting through their dessert, feel free to enjoy a cup of steaming hot tea/coffee or an ice cold glass of water (something to look at, instead of their dessert). It’s also nice to ask the waiter to add a wedge of orange, lime or lemon, or even a strawberry or two to your water — you deserve it!

I find that adding fruit to my water makes it look and taste so much more refreshing.

Once home — sometimes, in the car before I leave the parking lot of the restaurant, 🙂 I check my blood sugar. If it’s elevated, as soon as I get home, I grab my sneakers and go for a quick walk, even if only for 30 minutes — walking will bring that number right down — never fails!

So there you have it folks. CHECK THAT BLOOD SUGAR — no matter what. NO EXCUSES! You’ll be glad you did.

…words my parents repeated on a regular basis to each of their four children. They were talking about our friends and my father managed to get his point across, usually with a simple phrase or two — and that look over his glasses. Oooooo, that deep, penetrating, look. There was no mistaking his intent. This man was serious!

The value of friendship was second only to that of family, in the heart and minds of my parents. They taught us well and the message was incessant, particularly during those important teenage years. There’s one phrase (among many) that stands out in my mind. “Kathy, water seeks its own level.”My dad would say it (in that tone), then pause, look me straight in the eye, turn and walk away, leaving me to contemplate what he’d just said. I knew, the “friend” I’d brought home that day had been given the “stamp of disapproval.” No argument, no criticism. But, the point was always made, and it was clear. Do the right thing — choose wisely. Mom and dad were right; their instincts good. We learned early on the difference between friends and acquaintances. As a result of their guidance, the four of us have always had excellent friends and we’ve had them for a long time. My parents were outstanding role models — they’d tell us, “To HAVE a good friend, you need to BE a good friend.” Those words served each of us well.

WHY ARE YOU DISCUSSING FRIENDSHIP, you ask? Because the people with whom we break bread can be as important as the morsels that pass through our lips. I, for one, need all the help I can get in managing my T2D, and I do look to my friends for support — I admit it.

For the purpose of this T2D blog, I’ll be integrating the choice of foods, along with those with whom we share it.

A few days ago, I met some friends for lunch — this can be a nightmare OR sheer heaven for me, depending on where we decide to “dine.” I made the choice this time and we went to TheWild Fig — Mediterranean Grill.Why was that my choice? (GRILLis the operative word, and helpful to diabetics.) The menu is enormous (see link) and filled with a multitude ofhealthy choices.

The grilled veggies were mouthwatering, complimented the stuffed fish, AND did great things for my blood sugar. The entree I chose included two portions of stuffed flounder. One selection on the menu was filled with crabmeat and another with spinach and feta — a friend and I shared, so we had one of each! (Is this becoming a tradition, Gerry?) My confession: French fries (it’s an addiction, I know). BUT, in the name of justification, we split those too, so we each had some fries and some grilled vegetables. My A1C will be happy. NO dessert — it was a beautiful thing.

“Choosing wisely” is easy in this restaurant and, selecting this group of friends was a wise decision. I’m blessed. These ” Ladies Who Lunch”are no less than divine! We share a strong belief in the “Sisterhood,” and this group is as supportive as it gets. ❤

Tell me — What could be better than sharing a delicious, healthy lunch and wonderful conversation with a delightful group of friends?

Bottom line = monitor those morsels carefully to keep your numbers at a healthy level and — just as carefully — choose your friends wisely! 🙂 There will be no regrets!

Today I met some friends at a Mediterranean Grill; a restaurant called the “Wild Fig.” Diabetics should run, not walk, to this eatery. Almost everything is grilled, no butter in sight. I ordered a combo special consisting of grilled salmon and a lamb and vegetable kebab. A friend ordered the shrimp and lamb kebabs. My sister ordered the shrimp and lamb kebabs, with a salad on the side. Mine came with steak fries and my friends arrived with grilled vegetables. We split both. In the end, I had not quite a third of the fries and half of the vegetables. Perfect. I was a little concerned about the fries, but when I took my post-dinner glucose, it was 118.

Every single dish that passed our table was a vision, and “ooo’s” and “ahhh’s” were heard throughout the restaurant. The grilled delights were spectacular, and the salads amazing (beware of the feta…). The presentation was exceptional, as was the service. I love the wedges of lemon on the side; squeezing them over the dish adds a zip! I’m not a food critic, that’s for sure. But, I know what’s good for the diabetic pallet, and I highly recommend Wild Fig.

Dining out can be difficult for a diabetic, but this time, the choices were easy. Bottom line — a fine meal was had by all!